Boxers give back to the community

Boxers give back to the community

Members of the Tri-Town Amateur Boxing Club in North Sydney adopted a family this Christmas.

"We got some absolutely great kids," said coach Michael Gerrow. "When we talked about adopting a family for Christmas, they came on board right away. We set up a deadline and sent home letters, and the members brought in stuff right away."

The club members, who range in age from nine to 26, also discussed offering to shovel following snowstorms to help seniors and people who can't get out to shovel their walkways and driveways.

The club, with help from the Sydney Mines Volunteer Fire Department, adopted a mother and a child. The fire department took care of supplying a traditional Christmas meal with all the trimmings, and the club made sure there were lots of presents, pajamas, and personal items.

"Christmas is a time of giving and that's what we did," said boxer Shannon Symes. "We gave to a family and made their Christmas special."

"It's nice to know that we helped out a family in need," said boxer Parker Zablaskai.

The club, which is based out of the main building at the Exhibition grounds in North Sydney, is closing in on its first year anniversary.

"This is a first for the boxing club, and we definitely plan on continuing with it," said Gerrow. "It's nice to see something positive from our youth, because all young people aren't bad. From what we've seen at the club, when the opportunity is there, these guys really want to help and I think that's the way it is for many young people."

Gerrow said being involved in the club helps youth gain experience, along with learning respect, self discipline, how to control their anger, self defence and life values.

"Our youngest boxer is nine and our oldest is 26 so there is mentoring going on as well." he said. "They want to help people less fortunate, and for us as coaches, we've never had any trouble with our kids. We train three nights a week for two hours and as a club, the members are always there to help one another and cheer each other on."

The club put on a successful fight card in May and is planning a second for May 2015.